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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the immediate expansion of road infrastructure to additional communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying his administration will extend development to underserved areas and bring an end to abandoned projects in the capital.
Speaking at the commissioning of the rehabilitated Old Keffi Road — a more than 15‑kilometre stretch linking Kado Fish Market to Dei‑Dei Junction through Life Camp — Tinubu approved the construction of the Kaba‑Kagini‑Zaudna road after residents held up banners highlighting the poor state of access routes in their communities.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the ceremony held along Gwagwa Rail Station Road, the President said his Renewed Hope Agenda was focused on inclusion and practical delivery across the FCT.
“We are not slowing down. Across the FCT, from the centre to the area councils, we are building for inclusion, for safety and for growth. Every district deserves access. Every citizen deserves to feel the impact of government where they are,” Tinubu said.
He declared the completion of the Old Keffi Road a signal that the era of abandoned infrastructure projects in Abuja was over.
“When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in Abuja was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on,” he said, citing recent unveilings across corridors including Saburi 1 and 2. “We identify the pain, we fund the solution, and we deliver.”
Tinubu described the rehabilitated roadway as a “practical demonstration” of government resolve to improve daily life, saying the project restores dignity to movement and delivers usable infrastructure.
“The fully rehabilitated 15‑kilometre Old Keffi Road, from Kado Village through Life Camp to Dei‑Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway, is now open for use. This is not a promise on paper. It is asphalt you can drive on, lights you can trust after dark, and drainages that serve both homes and markets,” he said.
He told the audience the project followed a report from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on the poor condition of a strategic economic corridor serving Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu and Dei‑Dei. “He brought the report to me. We acted,” the President said, adding that the Federal Executive Council approved the work and awarded it to Lubrik Construction Company Limited on the basis of competence.
“Under this government, we do not reward patronage. We reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. Lubrik has delivered again,” Tinubu said.
He praised Wike for transforming the FCT through visible infrastructure and commended the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, and the FCT Administration for delivering the project on schedule without compromising quality.
The President described the road as “an economic artery” that will reduce travel time, lower transport costs and boost commerce by linking local communities to the Outer Northern Expressway. He also highlighted integrated streetlights installed under the Light Up Abuja initiative, saying they will improve security and support night‑time economic activity.
Tinubu urged residents to protect the new infrastructure, warning against vandalism and clogging of drains. “This infrastructure belongs to you. Guard it. Do not vandalise streetlights. Do not block drains with refuse. Report any damage early,” he said.
Earlier, Wike said the project fulfilled a long‑standing promise to traders and residents who had repeatedly appealed for rehabilitation after the completion of the Saburi Road. Recounting appeals from traders during an area council election campaign, he said they had asked him to tell the President that finishing the road would win them lasting appreciation.
“They told me, ‘Please tell Mr. President, if he completes this road for us, Mr. President should go home and sleep with his two eyes closed,’” Wike recalled.
In a notable moment at the commissioning, Wike invited residents of Kaba, Kagini and Zaudna — who carried banners requesting another road — to step forward and announced that Tinubu had approved immediate intervention.
“I have told the Executive Secretary of the FCDA to direct Lubrik Construction Company to move to this area immediately and construct the road,” Wike said, pledging that work on the newly approved road would commence without delay.
Wike described the move as embodying the Renewed Hope Agenda’s purpose: to restore hope by acting swiftly on critical infrastructure needs that improve connectivity and local economies. He thanked President Tinubu for approving the Old Keffi Road project.
